Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-10-10

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] New Nimetz proposal on FYROM 'one-sided,' Greece says

[01] New Nimetz proposal on FYROM 'one-sided,' Greece says

The ministry said that the new proposal effectively embraces the views of one side - that of FYROM - "a stance which does not fall within the concept of mediation," the statement read.

The purpose of mediation is for a compromise to be reached based on mutually-acceptable proposals, the ministry said.

"Greece will continue working within the context of the UN procedure in order to find a mutually-acceptable solution, because it believes that only through such a solution will bilateral ties and cooperation between the two countries and two peoples be reinforced. It is the only way that stability in the region can be supported; the only way in which progress in the neighbouring country's Euro-atlantic pursuits will be facilitated," the ministry stated further.

In its statement, the ministry stressed that the Greek government will continue to exercise its right, in accordance with the bilateral agreement of 1995, to block FYROM's membership in any international organisation if the latter attempts to join by using any name other than the "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia."

On his part, FYROM Prime Minister Vlado Buchkovski praised the new Nimetz proposal during a televised announcement, according to an ANA despatch from Skopje. Buchkovski called the proposal a good basis for negotiations and said that his country wants to maintain good neighbourly relations with Greece.

Greece objects to the use of the name 'Macedonia' by its northern neighbour on the grounds that it might encourage expansionist policies against Greece.

Greeks are also incensed by the attempts of FYROM Slavs to "usurp" the famous Macedonian king of antiquity Alexander the Great, from whom they claim descent.

The name issue has been a point of contention between the two countries for the past 15 years.

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